How Obama is soaking the young

Boosted by starry-eyed young Americans who embraced his “hope and change” message, Barack Obama ascended to the presidency in 2008 — and was re-elected in 2012. This might have made the idealistic young people who clung to his lofty rhetoric feel good — and maybe Obama really did advance their progressive social agenda. But from an economic standpoint, their support was highly ironic. They have been largely rewarded with high unemployment rates — and long-term policies that transfer wealth from the young to the old.

Consider, for instance, the Affordable Care Act. It is not exactly a win for the young and healthy.

Contingencies, the magazine of the actuarial profession, recently looked at how the Affordable Care Act would affect various age cohorts. According to their study, premiums for younger, healthier individuals may well spike by more than 40 percent.

A little-known provision in the law, called the Adjusted Community Rating, all but guaranteed it would turn out this way.

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